However, Chelsea maintained a firm grip on their coattails with a 1-0 win away at Swansea City, which in turn kept the Welsh side entrenched in relegation trouble.

Elsewhere, Everton moved into fourth following a 1-0 win away at struggling Sunderland, while Fulham and Cardiff City did their survival chances the world of good by recording 1-0 successes over Norwich City and Southampton respectively.

With all that mind, Sports Mole has picked out the 11 players that made the biggest impression on us in a 4-4-2 formation, as well as the best goal and biggest numpty.

David Stockdale (Fulham)In what was a must-win encounter for Fulham, goalkeeper Stockdale ensured that they kept a clean sheet against Norwich with a string of saves.

Erik Pieters (Stoke City)The Dutch full-back has had a consistent season at Stoke and in recent weeks he has shown the attacking side of his game. His goal against Newcastle United proved to be the winner.Sylvain Distin (Everton)Like a fine wine, Distin appears to be getting better with age. Now 36, the Frenchman was at his defensive best as Everton recorded a clean sheet away at Sunderland.Juan Cala (Cardiff City)As well as being a part of a Cardiff rearguard that kept a vital clean sheet at Southampton, Cala scored the only goal of the game. What's more, it was a strike that you would expect from a centre-forward, not a defender.Joel Ward (Crystal Palace)One player that has really thrived since Tony Pulis took charge of Palace is Ward. The right-back put in another good performance against Aston Villa.

David Silva (Manchester City)If any Man City player didn't deserve to end up on the losing team against Liverpool, it was Silva. The Spaniard was lively throughout and backed up his display by scoring one and forcing an own goal.Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)The Serbian has proved to be extremely good business by Jose Mourinho. Matic's defensive performance allowed his attacking teammates to flourish, while he also set up the winning goal.Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)Not only did the Brazilian score the winning and what could prove to be vital goal, he was a real thorn in City's side with a creative showing at Anfield.Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)He may on be 19, but Roy Hodgson will surely be taking Sterling to the World Cup after another impressive display. He opened the scoring, before using his pace to cause numerous problems.

Hugo Rodallega (Fulham)The Colombian international has hardly been prolific since joining Fulham, but he scored a crucial goal in a positive performance against Norwich.Demba Ba (Chelsea)Mourinho has not been shy to criticise his strikers this season, but after his heroics in the Champions League during the week, Ba silenced his manager with a goal at Swansea.

Numpty of the week

Vincent Kompany: You can count on one hand the mistakes that Man City skipper Kompany has made this season, but he made a massive error against Liverpool. With the score locked at 2-2 and his team in the ascendancy, Kompany scuffed a clearance to Coutinho, who powered a shot beyond the reach of Joe Hart. It proved to be the winning goal, which has left City with an uphill task if they are to win the title.

Goal of the week

Juan Cala (Southampton vs. Cardiff City): The Spanish defender scored in a defeat at Everton recently, but this time his effort proved to be a winning one for the Bluebirds. Having beat one defender, the centre-back then curled a shot from 20 yards out into the corner of the Southampton net.